Golf Club Fitting Apparatus Using Collimated Light for Loft and Lie Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face difficulties in consistently hitting putts due to improper loft and lie angles in their putters, leading to inconsistent distance and direction, and aiming errors that can significantly affect the outcome of putts.
Innovation Solution
A golf club fitting apparatus that includes angle indicators to measure and adjust the effective loft and lie angles, and a stroke-plane indicator using collimated light to ensure proper alignment and aiming, allowing golfers to optimize their putter setup and aiming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If special equipment is used to correctly identify proper loft of a putter, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate functional components: a collimated light source for creating a reference beam, angle indicators for measuring loft and lie angles, and a stroke plane indicator for verifying swing path. Each component performs a specific measurement function, allowing the complex measurement task to be broken into manageable segments that can be independently calibrated and adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
A collimated light beam serves as an intermediary reference that bridges the putter and the measurement indicators. The light beam creates a visual reference plane that interacts with the putter's striking face and shaft, enabling indirect measurement of angles without requiring direct contact or complex mechanical gauges.
2Reliability
If proper loft and lie angles are used, then reliability of putt outcome is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying and adjusting angles
Solution Approach 1:
The angle indicators provide immediate visual feedback to the golfer about the actual loft and lie angles of the putter. By comparing the indicator readings against desired angle values, the golfer can iteratively adjust the putter setup until the correct angles are achieved, creating a closed-loop system that guides the user toward proper configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical angle measurement devices are replaced with optical measurement methods using collimated light beams and visual indicators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical gauges and makes the measurement process more intuitive and easier to perform.
3Measurement precision
If multiple indicators and adjustment mechanisms are added to the fitting apparatus, then measurement precision and alignment accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously measures loft angle, lie angle, and stroke plane alignment using a unified optical reference system. The collimated light source serves multiple measurement functions, and the apparatus can evaluate several putter parameters in a single setup, reducing the need for multiple separate measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple measurement functions (loft angle measurement, lie angle measurement, stroke plane verification) are combined into a single integrated apparatus. The collimated light beam and indicator system serves as a common reference for all measurements, merging what would traditionally require separate devices into one unified fitting system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables golfers to achieve an optimal putter setup, improving putting efficiency by ensuring accurate loft, lie angles, and alignment, reducing errors and inconsistencies in putt distance and direction.
Implementation Method 1
a stroke-plane indicator using collimated light to ensure proper alignment and aiming
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club fitting apparatus and a method for fitting using the apparatus are provided. The golf club fitting apparatus may be attached to a golf club and provide fitting information including effective lie angle, effective loft angle, stroke plane, and aiming verification information. That golf club fitting apparatus includes a first opening for receiving a shaft, second openings for receiving a collimated light source, third openings for receiving angle indicators, and a recess for securing the collimated light source in an alternate configuration.